In Texas, Child Protective Services, or CPS, is tasked with investigating all complaints of possible child abuse or neglect that get reported to the agency.
As part of the investigation, an employee of CPS will typically interview the parents or caregivers of the children and make a visit to the children’s home.
Assuming they are the targets of the abuse and neglect investigation, parents should use caution when speaking to a CPS investigator, especially if a law enforcement officer accompanies an investigator.
Parents in Texas have the right not to talk to CPS about the case, and they have a right not to let CPS into their home unless the agency has a court order allowing them to do so.
While it might be tempting for a parent to try to get themselves out of trouble or prevent separation from their children, CPS workers are not paid to be advocates for accused parents. The state pays them to do what they think they need to do to keep children safe.
Parents in and around Rockwall need to understand that anything they tell the CPS investigator might be used against them in a criminal case on felony charges related to child abuse or neglect.
Practically, some CPS workers unfortunately may be willing to bend the truth to trap a person they judge to be a poor parent. Even honest CPS employees still often share the perspective of the prosecutors and police with whom the CPS investigators closely work.
A parent involved in a CPS investigation should make sure they know their rights
A court case involving CPS is itself a serious matter since it can lead to a documented finding that a parent abused or neglected their children. The investigation could also mean a parent loses custody over their children to the state.
Parents should not overlook that a CPS investigation also is frequently a launching board for prosecutors to file a criminal case against the accused parent. The result could be that a parent not only loses their children permanently but also spends years or even decades in prison.
Any parent who is the target of a child abuse or neglect investigation should understand that there are potential criminal consequences, and they should make sure they understand their rights and options early in the case.
